A rather unpleasant looking fungal contamination in a flask of lomandra; note the plants engulfed by the fungus are dying off (Image: Lisa Wightwick)
By Lisa Wightwick
Wherever plant tissue culture goes, so follows contamination. But what is culture contamination, where does it come from and why is it so undesirable?
In the context of plant tissue culture, ‘contamination’ is a broad term that describes a range of unwanted microorganisms that can have significant impacts on the health and success of the plants.… Continue reading
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Andersonia grandiflora is also endemic to the southwest of Western Australia (Image: Jesse de Vries via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)
By the Australian Plants Society (Victoria) Mornington Peninsula District Group
Held biennially by the Australian Plants Society Victoria (APS Victoria), the FJC Rogers Seminars provide an opportunity for native plant lovers of all knowledge levels to come together to focus on one plant group.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Lisa Wightwick
Efforts to reduce waste are on the rise across many industries worldwide. However, in a line of work where success and productivity hinge on using many single-use products, is it possible to reduce waste?
Do you remember seeing the vast amounts of waste produced by hygiene-related items, such as masks and gloves, during the pandemic?… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Praful Umaretiya
Western Australia’s unique flora faces increasing threats from habitat loss and environmental changes. Tissue culture techniques have emerged as a vital tool for horticulturists and conservationists in propagating rare and vulnerable species, which can be rapidly produced from a limited number of initial specimens.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy David Hancock
This article outlines some of the issues associated with managing the forced transition of a unique business from one site to another and the challenges associated with that project.
It is rare for these circumstances to arise, and this case study can rest not only as a guide to others in a similar situation but also when considering a complete site relocation.… Continue reading
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This mature King Fern planted in the Norfolk Island Botanic Garden is often the only King Fern visitors see, as all wild plants are located in deep, off-track valleys (Image: Black Diamond Images)
Challenges and techniques
By Mark Scott and Sara Freeland
The King Fern (Ptisana salicina) is a species native to the subtropical rainforests of the South Pacific, including Norfolk Island. It’s one of the largest ferns in the world, with fronds that can reach up to several metres in length, and thrives in cool, moist environments, typically along streams and in shaded valleys.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Dermot Molloy
International Plant Propagators Society board members David Hancock, from Natural Area Nursery, WA, and Dermot Molloy from the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria organised a field trip to Mauritius to assist nurseries with plant propagation and production. We also organised to attend the IPPS International conference in Stellenbosch, South Africa.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Lisa Wightwick
Plant propagation is fostered by a vision of potential. We may only be involved at the very beginning of a plant’s journey, but we look towards the future with the hope they flourish and have a positive impact on the world around them.… Continue reading
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After a healthy lunch at Parkers Place and a grafting demonstration by Des Boorman, delegates group together for a photo
By Karen Smith
For the 52nd year, propagators from Australia and overseas came together to ‘Seek and Share’ knowledge of propagation in all its forms. I congratulate the organisers of the International Plant Propagators (IPPS) Conference, “A Breath of Fresh Air,’ held in Ballina NSW for presenting an excellent venue and a most informative program.… Continue reading
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Colour, floral form and size are common breeding traits focused on by cyclamen breeders (Image: John Fitzsimmons)
By John Fitzsimmons
Next time you see, seek or get offered a new greenlife development, spare a thought for the time, expertise and effort that went into delivering that innovation. It could have been up to a decade or more!
At this point in time many people in our world anticipate rapid, even instant, responses to needs and wants.… Continue reading
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